Knowingly providing FALSE information to a public official is a violation of
Section 2921.13A5 of the Ohio Revised Code and is a misdemeanor of the first
degree. Please read this page before applying for a dog license.

Does my dog need a license?
- Yes. Your dog can be up to three (3) months old
before it is required to get a license. All dogs over three (3)
months of age must be licensed. Back to top

Why should I get a license for my dog?
- Because it's the law! And a license is a lost dog's
ticket home! When your dog has its license attached to its collar,
its assigned license number is all that is necessary for our office
to identify the dog's owner. Back to top

What do I do if I find a lost dog?
- If the dog is wearing a current Knox County license
tag, you can search the Dog Database for the owner or give us a call
during working hours:

How often does the license have to be renewed?
- Dog licenses must be renewed annually between
December 1 and January 31.Back to top

How much does an online dog license cost?
- The annual base fee for an online dog license in
Knox County is $18.00 (this amount reflects an online processing fee
of $2.00). If you are registering the dog after July 1, some fees
may be prorated.Back to top

How can I avoid a late fee?
- Ohio law requires licenses to be renewed between
December 1 and January 31 each year. After January 31, if you wait
more than thirty (30) days to license a dog over three (3) months of
age, Ohio law requires the Auditor to assess a late fee equal to the
cost of the license. There are no provisions in the law to waive the
fee.Back to top

How do I get a duplicate license? How do I replace a lost license?
- If you or your pet loses a license, you can request
a duplicate license from the County Auditor's Office for $5.00.
Please contact us for the necessary form at:

How do I transfer a license to a new owner?
- The ownership of a current dog license can be
transferred to another owner for $5.00. The current owner on
file, or executor of the current owner's estate, must sign the
transfer form. It is also advisable for the new owner to sign the
form. Please contact us for the necessary form at:

What if I move?
- If you move within Knox County, you can call
(740) 393-6805 with your new address and telephone number so we can
keep the information up-to-date. If you move to another county, call
that County's Auditor for licensing information.Back to top

Where do the proceeds go from the dog license program?
- The license proceeds support the Knox County dog shelter and the issuance of licenses.
The license proceeds are the sole support for day-to-day operations at the Knox County Dog Shelter.Back to top

Where can I find the laws that apply to dog licensing?
- The laws governing dog licensing in the State of
Ohio can be found in the Ohio Revised Code (ORC), sections 955.01
thru 955.99. Please click here to read/view all the relevant laws.Back to top

How do I know that purchasing a license online is safe?
- The system is
PCI DSS
compliant and uses industry-standard technology for the secure handling
of user and credit card information. All passwords and credit card
numbers are encrypted. Hard drives in production servers are encrypted.
During a transaction any sensitive data is transported via SSL.
Firewalls guard against intrusion. Any unnecessary server application
is turned off. Periodic scans by a third-party are done to detect
vulnerabilities and maintain PCI DSS compliance.Back to top

Do County Officials have access to my credit card information?
- No. Credit card information is not made available
to County Officials. If for any reason your credit card cannot be
processed, you will be notified via email or telephone and asked to
log in to your account to verify credit card information and to make
any necessary corrections. Credit card orders for dog licenses will
not be accepted over the telephone.Back to top

How will I know that my payment was made?
- You will see a confirmation page with a transaction
number after completing the payment process. We recommend you print
or save this page for your records.Back to top

How long does it typically take before I receive my dog license?
- Licenses are sent through postal mail and should
arrive within 10 business days. The charge will be posted to your
credit card at time of registration. Contact us if your dog license
doesn't reach you within this period. Please allow extra time for
processing during December 1 to February 28.Back to top